Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Times, 1900-09-07, Page 7I •, .,,:i,A►,' •t��,, A ., ,i► „7:0.,iie,,'N :e4w,t' ,i"li`!ci L ,@,•, ilrr �ipM i. R i.i. j4 .••.•A • .A.• ,•A, ,,A,. •.A•;„•.A•, •.A,.....4 ,• .A A • •,A,• ♦b • R •,,f, T•.,,,•1• ... ",.,.•� ,,,, r•, •"1",••,•r .. •1/%s,• 1' ,•• Y.• ,'P , r• •7•,,,,. •ptner Mrs. Broxton at the old. IIa11;' Rhea "Yes, of course, vaguely trying i f'Dvents have a provoking way 'of ' • requirements, She was l Co meet. all Ei}aping their owu course without any thinking of how very 111 Mr. Matthews .itespoet for our wishes or preferences, really was and of how entirely uucou- ieatitdat."• serous Olivia wasof the impending ea - :i, (.Co which sententious bit of wisdom tastt•ophe. But it was not for her to laatilda accorded a grave affirmative. furnish enlightenment. '+iJ3ut go on about `tom's letter, John." Some one, Miss Malvina decided, cer- lI P'Well, it seems that Matthews had tainly ought to he within call at night larged we condug here as his guest, to in case --in case of the worst. Dr, Oa - Way while they were going ever the van was out of the question. fie was papers, to which Tom replied that as, too old and too, necessary to the well lowing to the unforeseen intervention being of the rest of Mandeville to be f the elements, there were no papers frisked. She thought of Tom Broston, tto be examined it would scarcely be but. Tom was hundreds of miles away, Advisable for him to come to Mande- hard at work. Mr. Matthews had told. faille just now. The visit could enly her be was ip an electrician's office in pe productive of pain to him and dis- 'Kansas City. 011ie never beard from leomfort to others,"' ]him at all nowadays, • She thought of .1 +‘.Others, I suppose, meant 011ie,” herself, only to think next c: her moth• Fre. Govan interjected, er. She could not stay away from the AL.,.;"He wound' up by telling Matthews cottage at night. Why should not Clar- Britt he begged to assure him of his ence 'Westover stay? She gave Olivia 'iabaltered affection and confidence, tate benefit of her views on this point. 'Wjiere was no room in his heart for any j "I think, my dear, you ought to have ,1011er feeling toward the man his fa- - some one besides old Reuben in the lthe>• had loved and trusted. ' house at night. It is just possible you l f,'Did he say that, John? Poor Tom1 might want to send for Dr. Govan der - pear boyI Poor, poor laddie!" ' ing the night. I was thinking that Mr. it !Ors. Govan's tears were dropping Westover would be just the one." *OA upon the sewtpg she had laid upon"Clarence to sit up at night? Oh, :VE N:8 A MAY. r cepyrii ht, 18,9% by Jeannette H, Watwo>•th. Ili lap. ' then you must think papa very ill in- {" "i think the reason Matthews show- deed!" me that letter," said the doctor re- I "I don't think ateything of the kind," gtively, "was because he wanted me said Miss Malvina recklessly. "I was know just how Tom felt about— i just thinking that naturally it would out things." 1 ebeer you up some to have Ltm•about" 0.1 -es; that was natural, I see, But A soft glow spread over the girl's 1n -where is he going to locate, s tired face. The mere suggestion bad Ian? Did the letter state? Mrs. Spill- proved cheering. tl was asking me this morning if I "Oil, lie is just as nice as can be! He ew where Tofu was," • comes every day and has wanted to 'He thinks his chances as an elec- t help nurse from the very beginning, Winn will be best out 'west in some I and--and—it would be immensely com- d'tving place. He mentioned Kansas forting to the just to know that he was ay. Shouldn't' be surprised if he 1 within call, but papa seems to have ljtitought up there." such an aversion to any one being in ",,t. +'And so that is the last of the Brox- his room. He has said over and over ,1x11 name for Melton county. Dear, I again that he hoped L would not take r, what changes one does see in a i< advantage of hila when he was asleep Ort lifetime! Why, John, about the to leave a stranger in charge of him. IOW you brought me here a bride the As if I would take advantage of bine Broxtons were just everything in the under any circumstances!" she added ii Stinty. The mon couldn't project any mournfully. !county affairs of any importance with- ' •'7'he very best of men are selfish Out Buioston led in aus Broxton's pi ionhe sand hand elp, pigs when it comes to sickness," said Miss istalvina. with scorn in her eyes church. movements, and half the un - and a fitted purpose in her heart. married men in the county were court - She found Clarence Westover tether- ing I,ucetta." ing his borse to the Matthews rack. "That's all so," said the doctor grave- She went toward him eagerly. ly, "but it only goes to prove the "Well, I call this providential; that 1 mutability of human affairs." do. I was just casting about in my Mrs. Govan refused obstinately and mind bow I could get a message to always to mount her husband's rhetor- you." ' teal ladder. She preferred the safer if "Worse?" He nodded gravely to -lowlier tableland of her own practical ward the house. reflections.. "Not 1 can't say that 1 see any "Fm not afraid, John, but what Pu- change at aIl, but it is just this way: fus Broxton's son can make headway Thine aretIn toot cristal a hiway: 'wherever he plants Limself, but Ido for that child to be left alone condition digh hope he will be careful about his flan- old but with no one e ne but . Reuben to call on vela and things. Lucetta and his moth- case o er died so young, John. If 1 knew where the boy was, I would write to "I understand. 1 have thought so all lilea in a motherly sort of way, you along. 1 have pleaded with her' for know. He may be slow making new permission to stay. She has refused friends out there, you see." me with singtilar ohstinancy. I can.: "And that's a kindly thought, Ilia- not stay in spite of her." not, is just exactly what you must do. I know. It is all his doings. She would be glad to have'you. I know it. But she wouldn't go against his wishes for the universe. I don't suppose h can help being selfish, seeing he is t. man. She needs you desperately, Mr. Westover. What are you going to do about it?" as V10111e0 higher than a kite. Sire had all she could do to keep her mother from breaking out into her dreadful tirades of abuse before entero. no ayes Maiwina ino"lier little three roomed cottage -and.' Olivia 1flatthowe in her mansionof featly rooms were each winning their way throng)) the shadows. witilrbeavy hearts, amid fore - Wing fcays: As ordeC1 by Dr. Govan, Reuben was night nurse and Olivia tended the sick, flan during the day. Said the gentle old doctor: "Iienben can stand loss of sleep bet• ter than you can, my dear, and. 11 would distress your father to see yen about him when you should be getting your proper rest." But 011ie had tier doubts. about Rett- ben's superior powers of endurftece, and after stealing lute the dimly light- ed sickroom twice itt one nlglat to Iliad patient and nurse both in a profound slumber she aroused Reuben and drew him cautiously•tiut into the hall. "It is nearly midnight, Reuben, and I have been sleeping nicely ever since 8 o'clock. You go now and rest until daybreak. You say he Claes not get restless before then. Colne back at' first peep of day, and he will never have missed you," This suggestion fell In so comfort- ably with Reuben's own desires that she did not have to urge it very strenu- ously. With yawning thanks he shuf- fled out of sight. Olivia stole noiselessly into the sick- room to take his place. The sick Llan was in a profound sleep. She lowered .the lamp on the hearth a trifle and moved the screen so that the shadows cast by it on the ceiling above the bed should take on fewer fantastic shapes. She shoot the water pitcher softly to make sure of the presence of ice in it. She examined the tumblers of physic to be quite sure of the next dose in case she hail to administer it before Reuben's return. Gratified to find the patient remain unconscious of all this subdued activ- ity, she curled herself up in the great armchair on the side of the bed next tilde. I'll find out from Matthews and let you know." Then his office bell rang, and the doc- tor left the pleasant sitting room fire- side. made all the brighter by Mrs. Itoctor's sweet old face, to ansewer it. Y'resently he put his head in the door - era • to say: "It is something of a hurry call from ltiatthews. I shouldn't be surprised if A second of silent reflection fell be- tween them, and then Westover solved the problem cheerfully. "I have it. I can be on hand and he none the wiser for it. I don't suppose, now, any one 18 likely to visit the little side porch his room opens on after dark?" "No. Splendid! There Is a hammock swung there just outside his windows. You can hear everything that goes on in the room." "I'lI do it," said Clarence with deci- sion. "I will come after dark. Fottu- nateiy there is 110 moon to tell on me." "Nor any dog," lsitss Melville. added reassuringly. "My dear Mr. Westover, what a load you, have lifted off my heart!" And as she trotted briskly home - 'ward, with that Much lightened organ 'warming toward OlIie's lover, she said to herself that she guessed they had allunjust to ttls young man be- cause they had dedicated 011ie to ']tom Broxton and maybe because lie wore. patent leather shoes in the daytime. Mandeville had its Own standards, and truss Malvina stood by them. Patent leather stood for holidays and holy days. Her losing Heart was very full jest then. What with pitying ten- derness for 011ie, somber anticipations for lawyer Matthews and growing anxiety for her another It could not well be fuller. She bad to admit to herself that her another was growing, queerer every day. And the queerer she grew the snore frenzied beeame her dislike for Hor- ace lltattbows, in her efforts to ae- count for it 111s8 Malvina recalled the psychological fact that mentally uthbal• nneetl people frequently selected Some one individual as the object of their especial detestation. Sometimes it was those they had most reason to lvvo and admire. 110r mother was certain. ly 11 n)ononlanlac where the lawyer, teas concerned. When site had beard Of the sale of Broxtot Mil, for in- stance. she had latighed inalleiously and said that Tom could send that paid him a good long visit, Matilda, That was his formula—always to keep Matilda posted as to bis twee - extents. She bad a formula too. "And give my love to Olivia. Tell iter if there's anything in the. wide world 1 can do to send right back for ane. I'll drive over anyway this after- ' moon with some salt rising bread and quince marmalade if you don't forbid theist." Mandeville would have been put to 1t to find man or woman who, having ,ever been sick enough to call in Dr. 'Govan. had not been treated to salt n•ising bread and quince marmalade by ildrs. Dr. Govan. CIIAPTBR XIII. "Dto'rnt 1t" SPILL3MAN SPEAKS onT AT LAST. ;totw•ittistanding lts capacity In the and the magnifying, to .matter of mo building up of substantial charges front stt'aWs and Wisps, Mandeville ltd a heart, n.nd when it was known that Lawyer Mathews bad actually taken to his bed and that Dr. Govan looked very grave when questioned about his patient's chances for recon- cry this heart swelled with a great igity for Olivia's prospective demiation, with the result that she was over- , wheimed with neighborly offers et beler and sympathy. Twining this Witte. P• spread demonstration, she said to bliss i afrtivtna, with shining, grateful eyes: "1 always knew papa deserved to be revered by this neighbors, and it snakes me so proud to be assured of the esti- mation lie is held in. But I don't think be would like any of then" et his bed. nide. He told me 80. 1 think Reuben anti 1 assn manage the case, He Is not very sick, yott knots. It is ;just a uerv- Cis attack. no has been in a dreadful. -ty nervous condition ever since the tire. He Was to frightened for me that 1ttght, you know." To whleh Miss MI - Vine answered "No. of eeurse," antY and wipers ix'ing Duna up. ',a one of your old tricks: You burn a eomposltton book avhen you tve.p a# boy when your theft of an essay was. threatened with discovery, ' `oil burnt Up your iilhiloatophy to escape an e;tra. bard task. It has been a. slily but a vicious practiee of yours ever slued Fon were 20 years old. It served you in good stead when voucher's that KIK not exist were to be produced. "But I dill not eoiue here to rail at you for bygones, l came Isere to plead the rause of the orphan son of the best friend you ever had. As you hope for forgiveness hereafter, Horace liiat- thews, Make such restitution as le .11 K_ J1."-•2 v�.•"C • "I have been blci•Inf! my time." to• the wall, .where she would be com- pletely hidden should her father open his eyes, butneed no ato llti0 n Then she admiuistered a small dose or cam - ' fort to her own anxious heart. possible to that !boor boy, It cm 'slave mince him, and you know [t, The money you have piled up for your girl will never do her any good, never! "You have bedecked her With stolen jewels, and you know it. You fasten-. ell: 1.ucetta Broxton's pearl ueekl:tee. about her pure young neck the eight she was 18 years old, just the age at whiell poor Lueetta died. It is it wog- der it did not scorch the child's flesh. •"You see, I am old, but I do not for- get thy friends. They call me craey, My own girl has ioined in the cry against Inc. But I have mind enough left to retnember the things. that are worth remembering. I r'einember the love and gratitude 1 eiwe to every member of the Broxton family. 1 have tricot to serve Thomas, but bis faith in you was not to be sIlaken. You lost some papers the night his father Bled, Yon did not make a very thorough search for them. 1 think you pre- ferred to have them lost. But they were found and brought to me.. The Lord put them its a weapon in my Hasid. 1 read them, and I hid them. • "I meant to give them to Thomas when he should cotne of age and your control of ihhe cease. 13ut 1 lost them. I think I know how, but. I can't say where. You see, Ivy poor bend plays the tricks sometimes. it 1s not as serviceable as It was when you were n boy, Horace. "In the envelope you lost there was an unfinished letter from Rufus Brox- ton to his son. I went up to the house at niglyt, to give it to hlul, i:1e was asleep.- poor laddie, and 1 twisted it about some flowers that t had laud over his father's picture as my poor tribute of lova "You see, I wanted bim to have that letter, but I did not want you to know about It. for then you would kuow where the other papers were. So I re- sorted to a ctuuisy trick to make him believe there was something super- natural about his getting the letter. and then 1 kuew lie would holes his tongue. Some time or other 'foul and I Will have a good laugh about the Broxton ghost. "1 carried all the papers with me when I went up to the Hall.. t was afraid to leave them behind. 1 was afraid y[alt•iva would get hold of them and give then] to you. .\l:Ovine is on *out side, so 1 had to be sly, oh. so sly. Horace. But 1 lost the papers. They are lost, lest. lost! "I sere the gleam .or triumph in your glaring eyes, Horace. But 1 know the papers all by heart. I will telt It all iu open court some day if the dear Lord will only lceave -me here until Thomas comes back. I trill swear that you could not give a title to L'roxtou Hall, and then Thomas can get it back. But, oh..1 grow so weak, and Thomas tarries so long! • "I don't want to go before 'I'honins comes. 1- may. die tonight, I may cite tomorrow. I've used my last strength to drag myself to your bedside. tie who forgave the dying tiller upon tt,e cross can forgive you. too, end he wilt Horace, if you will only make restitu- tion to that poor boy. He is a't.od or mercy, in whose name 1 make this ap- peal." Gasping as one coming out of deep waters does, Olivia threw herself upon the bed and stretched sheltering anus about the sick man. "Father, father, forgive me! 1 ought to have protected you better. I was so frightened I could neither more nor speak. It is just poor old crazy 'Mother' Spillman. 1 shall call Reuben to take her home." He was breathing stertorously. Ills eyes were fixed on the stern white face of his accuser. Terror was legibly in- scribed on every line of his pallid face. He looked beyond Olivia, as if her toying voice had not reached him. It readied the old woman. who gave a start of surprise• Arid said in gentler tones than she had yet used: "I am sorry you were•close by, ehlld, but I had a duty to perform. It could not be put off any longer." Ofvi:i pressed ber hands tenderly upon her father's wide stretcihed lids and whispered eart'ssingly !u bis eat. "There, dear, don't look et her. it is only poor old 'Mother' Spillman, Who does tot know what she is talking "He is better. Ile must be better.. Dr. Govan said if he could only sleep better all would be well, and now he is sleeping spleudidly" With folded arms and closed eyes she fell to picturing things as they would shape themselves as soon as her father should leave his sick bed. She would tell him how CIarence was pleading for an immediate marriage so as to help her take caro of him lu his decliuing years. It was lovely to have her lover so fond of her father, but then everybody looked up to and rever- enced her father. It would. be terrible to have a,father whom all the world could not look up to. And thus emn- l'orting herself after the manner of all things young aiul innocent she settled herself to keep vigil. In tine minutes she was sound asleep. Not for very long. She felt a -dreaming, an unpleas- ant, startling dream. She fancied some terrible, wild thing was standing over her father's sick bed with dame in its eyes and venom on its tongue. She writhed as one does In the conscious effort to shake off a nightmare and opened her eyes. only' to cover them With her trembling !lauds as she smoth- ered the impulse to cry out. Standing close by the [billows of the sick titan was the tall. white robed figure, uever to be forgotten; that had once before deprived her of the power of reasoning. High over a tumbled mass of snowy white hair it held the small bedroom lamp that had been humin• low on the hearth, The Broeton ghbst stood revealed in "Monier" Spillman! In that one frightened glance Olivia had made that discovery. But !tow was she to get this deternatieti old woman, this avow- about. They ought to keep her under elbowie, away 1 beet father's She t- leek and key." Side quietly? Petrified by fear. help- Stretching her hand for the hell on Iessly casting about for a plan of ac, the titble by the bed. she rang n sharp tion that would not react upon her be, summons for Reuben on it. She rose loved patient, the girl shivered with front the bed and turned with gentle renewed terror as "Mother" Spillman, dignity toward the old woman. fn a tow voice, tnade intense' by the "Mrs. Spillman, 1 have rung for !tett- concethtrated passion dfpurpose. en• ben to see you Rome. ' Miss \lalvhta tercd upon her nw•fui arraignment: wilt be dreadfully frightened about " Yoti etre i11, IIorace Matthews. 111 you." unto death perhaps. I have been bid- She was as an aututile leaf lir the ing my time. Refore another night strong current of the relentless old t.•o' passes over your head you may stand luau's will. As a t"ritile will souse{ in the presence of your shaker and times burn its ltrlgbk'st before ttlekci'. yo;t r Judge. What Will yon ttnswer ing to its death, "lather" Spillman When he Asks yon how the orphan hits teinporerily r' eerie) the strong in. fared at your hands, boW the Son of dividuality tri •td t111(ie her as the the Mat who loved end trusted you far minister's wife i„s. terror of every evil - beyond your deserts bald hien treated? doer in her tittshnnd's tonisit. Why has Refits hroxtou'S Son Waxed "Girl, I aim sorry f,n' you, truly sorry. poor and you rich, ITorace :llattltews? batt 1 have work to do. tor his sake," "You know' inc. Oh, 1 -see that you nodding her white heart toward the do, for nil you itre staring ,at sue as if bed, "keep your nmlt at tt diet:tttcct, • you taw a specter. You've looked at Your promise, dein 't', The— is ye me tunny a time that way, Harem tithe. TJo not go into the prt•..t'nee of your Makes' with tt sin burdened soul. You kno'v whether my words are the words of truth o1' the tavlugs of a crazy old 'tvomatl. Yost know, and"— CMUR,LEN'S POULTRYNk"Tili / '"'LAWA FENCING& ,e, are not surpassed in tate WORLD. Their Woven Wire'cnoings have steed stood over fifteen yeah:t of vt'rccessf l testing an FARM and RAIL 4Ayr snk Sprcial offers made this year on 11061 kl.141 i tl3ii«>144,. ',Mesa goods aro all manufactured by The Ontario Wire Fencing Co., Limited, of Piston, ant For Able by the Hardwato Merchants and General Dealers throughout Canada. Also by the Can. Hardware Jobbers, Oren, Agents --The B. Greening Wire Co., of Il'auniltott and 7fi:ontreal. Agent for Railway :Fencing --James Cooper, Montreal. eae-CorreSpondence with the mauufaeturers invited, .;0Kn» Travel ling v. a a R "" ^-fl • An experienced canvasser, or a man with good character and address, with the necessary ability to travel from town to '.own and appoint agents. No canvassing. Salary and ex- penses paid. Position permanent and promotion according to merit. The Bradley-Garretson, Co., rtnitea. 'lt RAFtiTJ?ORD, ON yet i Qt.1'b410,19/ 4Z/'E `tt .1&1/tb tette 11WdA, 1.11 Ch✓4, When I've 'caught you at some of your "vicious boy tricks long ego. And I know you 011'0'10 h end throttgh. T laughed when, 1 heard of $'our • books In. Office Stationery THE TIMES is Up -to -Date. A superior stock of BILL HEADS, WHIM O ',A D M S9 SHIPPING TAGS, J CARDBOARDS, S, ETC.. ALWAYS ON HAND. We employ skilled workmen, have the latest designs in type, execute first-class work and charge reasonable prices. Give us a trial for your next stationery. THE 11 �'r• ES OFFICE. teleelletselliete odors • '�u A tio 'fen for Ave eentt, tit I')ttigsists Grocers, Ilestsarints, S•�'Dons, mews -Stands, General Stores and Barbers :stfops. they baeislt pain, induce steep, and prof mg lite. One gives relief tNo matter what's the matter, t, .e will t3o you good. Teti samples and one ih,nts,r l t sti. menials sent h 'nail to any address on r'eeit a. ) ythe Rivals Chemical Co., to:Spruce St., New 4 e' is • 11 1